Inspired by Liverpool, Melwood Boys FC claims UKRC International Soccer 9s title

The distance between Liverpool and Sungai Buloh, Selangor is nearly 11,000km, yet there is a shared love for football. Melwood Boys FC in Sungai Buloh was founded in 2003. It is named after Liverpool’s former training ground, Melwood, which itself was named after two priests – Father Melling and Father Woodlock – who taught football at the St Francis Xavier School.

M. Hari Chandran, president of Melwood Boys Club and team captain, is an ardent Liverpool supporter who wanted a way to honour his favourite club. When he found a plot of land in Sungai Buloh, he knew he had the right place.

Melwood Arena has two pristine pitches and floodlights. To continue the Liverpool theme, the clubhouse has been christened ‘The Klopp House’, after former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

“We are a group of Liverpool supporters and we love playing football,” said Hari, after leading his team to the 19th Ulu Klang Recreation Club (UKRC) International Soccer 9s title over the weekend.

“We have a group of 35 who find joy in kicking a football around the field twice a week, and that was what motivated us to compete in the UKRC event for the first time.

“It was a surprise to us that we would go all the way in the tournament to lift the trophy.”

Hari said the team, whose oldest player is 63, had plenty of fun and hoped to return to defend the title next year. Asked about the origins of his team’s name, Hari joked that he chose Melwood Boys as “I was still a boy in 2003”.

The 53-year-old lawyer still enjoys his twice-weekly kickabouts, but is also grooming the next generation of football stars.

“We have an academy of 40 players ranging from eight to 15 years old. I have three coaches handling them,” said Hari.

“The next step is to have an Under-18 team. Then we can compete in some of the local leagues. Grassroots football is important.

“I also allow schools to use the field for free, as I want as many children as possible to enjoy the facilities.”

Hari said that he organises tournaments at Melwood Arena to generate some income and hopes to have an event as famous as UKRC’s.

Besides Melwood Boys and the home team, six other clubs – Youngster FC (Brunei), Prince Songkhla University Veterans (Thailand), Penampang Old Boys (Sabah), Malacca Club Veterans (Melaka), Penang Sports Club (Penang), and Malaysian Grasshoppers (Kuala Lumpur) – competed in UKRC’s two-day event.

Penampang won the Plate Final after defeating UKRC, while Karunanathan of Penang Sports Club claimed the top scorer award with four goals. He won the Uncle Lee Memorial Trophy, named after Lee Paw Koi, who spent 360 out of 365 days a year on the premises. Lee passed away on July 28, 2021.

Malacca Club Veterans won the K. Suppiah Memorial Trophy for Fair Play. The trophy honours Suppiah, who founded the club in 1957.